Obtaining I/O adapter and device firmware updates through an HMC using CD or an FTP server (AIX only)

Learn how to obtain I/O adapter and device firmware updates through an HMC when you want to use a CD or an FTP server to obtain the update (for AIX® only).

The I/O adapter and device firmware is the part of the Licensed Internal Code that enables hardware, such as Ethernet PCI adapters or disk drives.

Step 1. Download the I/O adapter and device firmware update

You can download the update directly to your server, or you can download it to a computer with an Internet connection and create an update CD that you apply on the server. If necessary, contact service and support to order the update on CD.

Follow these step to download the I/O adapter and device update.

Note: To create a CD, you will need a CD burner and software. If you would prefer to order an update CD, contact service and support.
  1. From a computer or server with an Internet connection, go to the Fix Central Web site at http://www.ibm.com/eserver/support/fixes/Link outside information center.
  2. Select the appropriate family in the Product family list.
  3. Select Hardware microcode and firmware in the Product list.
  4. Click Continue.
  5. Select your machine type and model from the drop-down list. An information window is displayed.
  6. Click Continue. The available firmware levels are displayed.
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts.
  8. If you want to create a CD containing the update file, follow the instructions for your CD program.

Step 2. Apply the I/O adapter and device firmware update

  1. Choose from the following options:
    • If you are using an HMC with Version 6 or earlier, continue with step 2.
    • If you are using an HMC with Version 7 or later, continue with step 3.
  2. Perform the following steps:
    1. From the HMC, expand the Licensed Internal Code Maintenance folder.
    2. Click the Licensed Internal Code Updates icon.
    3. In the Contents area, click Change Licensed Internal Code.
    4. In the Target Object Selection window, click the target system, and click OK.
    5. Continue with step 4.
  3. Perform the following steps:
    1. In the Navigation area, click Updates.
    2. Select the managed system.
    3. In the Tasks area, click Change Licensed Internal Code.
  4. In the Change Licensed Internal Code window, select Start Change Licensed Internal Code wizard, and click OK.
  5. In the Specify LIC Repository window, choose from the following options:
    • If you have an update CD for this procedure, select DVD drive to install the update from CD, and click OK.
    • If you put the update on an FTP server, select FTP site and click OK.

    For more information about each of the repository locations, click Help.

  6. In the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard welcome window, click Next.
    Note: If there are no updates available, a message is displays that no updates are available and targets are up to date. In this situation, click Cancel to end the task.
    One of two windows is displayed, depending on the type of firmware updates that are currently available to download and install from the selected repository:
    • If server firmware updates or power subsystem firmware updates are available, the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard window is displayed with Managed System and Power LIC preselected.
      Choose one of the following options:
      • If you want to download and install the server firmware updates or power subsystem updates now, click Next, and follow the instructions in the subsequent windows to install the firmware updates.
        Notes:
        1. For all models except model 57x and 59x servers, install HMC updates before you install server firmware updates.
        2. For model 57x and 59x servers, you must install HMC updates before you install server or power subsystem firmware updates. Then either install the server and power subsystem firmware updates together, or install the power subsystem and then the server firmware updates.
      • If you do not want to install the server firmware updates or power subsystem updates now, deselect Managed System and Power LIC, and click Next.
    • If I/O adapter and device firmware updates are available, the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard window is displayed, with I/O LIC either preselected or not selected.
  7. In the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard window, ensure that I/O LIC is selected, and click Advanced Options.
  8. In the Licensed Internal Code Survey Results window, select the adapters or devices for which you want to download and install firmware updates, and click OK.
    Note: The system preselects the adapters or devices with the following characteristics:
    • The HMC can manage the adapters or devices.
    • Firmware updates are currently available.
    • The adapters or devices do not need to be taken offline when you install the firmware updates.

    You can change the preselected adapters or devices in the table to identify the I/O adapter and device firmware updates that you want to install.

    Use the information in the Effect column to determine whether the adapters or devices require you to shut down the adapter or device when you install the I/O adapter or device firmware updates.

    Use the information in the Suggested Action column to determine whether the HMC can manage the I/O adapters or devices listed in the table. If the Suggested Action column indicates Cannot Manage, you need to download and install the I/O adapter and device firmware fix through the operating system. Refer to the procedure to obtain the updates through the operating system.

    For more information about the table, click Help.
  9. In the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard window, click Next.
  10. In the Hardware Management Console License Agreement window, read the agreement and click Accept.
  11. In the Confirm the Action window, perform the required actions, and click Finish.
  12. Continue with Step 3. Verify that the update installed correctly.

Step 3. Verify that the update installed correctly

  1. Choose from the following options:
    • If you are using an HMC with Version 6 or earlier, continue with step 2.
    • If you are using an HMC with Version 7 or later, continue with step 4.
  2. Ensure that the managed systems and power frames (if you have a model 575 or 59x server) are in the correct state.
    1. From the HMC, select Server and Partition.
    2. Select Server Management and ensure that the State is Power Off, Standby, or Operating.
    3. If you have a model 575 or 59x server, select Frame Management and ensure that the state is Standby.
  3. Perform the following steps:
    1. From the HMC, expand the Licensed Internal Code Maintenance folder.
    2. Click the Licensed Internal Code Updates icon.
    3. In the Contents area, click Change Licensed Internal Code.
    4. In the Target Object Selection window, click the target system, and click OK. The target is the managed system for which you want to verify the firmware level.
    5. In the Change Licensed Internal Code window, select View system information, and click OK.
    6. Continue with step 5.
  4. Perform the following steps:
    1. Click Updates.
    2. Select the system.
    3. In the Tasks area, click View system information.
  5. In the Specify LIC Repository window, select None, and click OK. A window is displayed that shows system information for the target system.
  6. In the window, click View I/O Levels.
  7. In the Licensed Internal Code Survey Results window, verify that the firmware level indicated in the Current Level column matches the fix that you installed.
  8. If the level of firmware displayed is not the level that you installed, you will need to apply it through the operating system. For details, refer to Obtaining I/O adapter and device firmware updates for a system that is not managed by an HMC and is running AIX.